PURPOSE            To establish consistence for insurance coverage for providers by providing a basis for defining qualified participants and furnishing adequate insurance protection with out an undue financial burden on the Department.

 

POLICY

1)      The Medical Insurance Policy currently carried by the Department of Public Safety identifies age and physical condition restrictions as a stipulation for coverage to certain individuals.  The insurance company places limitations on the following basis:

A.     Any individual with a previous heart or circulatory malfunction will not be covered for that specific disease;

B.     Any individual over the age of 60 will not be covered for heart or circulatory malfunction regardless of previous history;

C.     Any individual over the age of 70 may be required to provide documentation from a physician stating the individual's health and physical condition will allow them to perform to the level assigned prior to being eligible for insurance coverage or agency participation.

D.     Special limited insurance riders may be permitted for individuals with particular circumstances on a case by case basis provided those individuals satisfy certain stipulations presented by the insurance underwriters and the Department of Public Safety.

E.      Should an individual out of the normal parameters of acceptance request insurance coverage, the fiscal liability of the insurance rider will be the responsibility of the agency the individual is affiliated with.

F.      Only jurisdictional resident personnel listed on the Public Safety Master Roster with a status of Active or Support are covered for the medical portion of the policy.  ( Active is defined as a member who regularly responds to calls, regularly attends meetings and participates in training and improvement activities of the agency.  Support is defined as one who does not respond to calls, but may perform other duties on a regular basis related to the provision of services which may include, but are not limited to, maintenance of equipment, building and grounds, bookkeeping, fund raising, etc.)

G.     The County reserves the right to require physician approval prior to allowing any individual of any age to participate at any level in any agency.

 

2)      The Department of Public Safety has established the following administrative guideline to coincide with the conditions of the medical policy so as to allow for as much flexibility in membership while maintaining adequate protection for Public Safety personnel and Franklin County. The following recommendations identify activities for all individuals concerned, corresponding to the conditions as outlined in the policy.

A.     All individuals may be assigned to tasks only as their physical condition allows. Any individual with a medical condition that may impair their ability to perform a specific task or jeopardize their safety or that of others, as determined by the senior officer, will perform those tasks only as permitted by a medical doctor.

B.     Any individual under the age of 60 years, with no previous history of heart or circulatory malfunction may be assigned to any position or job function, as needed, within their ability.

C.     Any individual 60 years or older or any individual under age 60 with a previous history of heart or circulatory malfunction may only be assigned to a position or job function which supports the physical activities of their group and involves minimal physical activity or physical stress. In cases of individuals with prior heart or circulatory malfunction, individuals will perform those tasks as permitted by a medical doctor.

D.     No individual 70 years or older should be permitted to engage in response or operation of emergency vehicles unless the agency has written documentation from a physician stating the individual is capable of performing tasks to the level assigned. Nothing in this statement prohibits individuals of any age from being supporting or social members of any group.

3)      All inquiries, correspondence and information regarding insurance claims including, but not limited to, the initial application, explanation of benefits, final resolution and/or the status of the same shall be forwarded to the Public Safety Administrative Secretary for processing.  Any claim must be submitted to the Public Safety Department with in one week of occurrence.

4)      The Public Safety Director or the Administrative Secretary shall be responsible for all notifications to insurance carriers, underwriters or other appropriate insurance officials.

5)      Any additions of personnel to the insurance policy must be approved by the Director.